We’re back on somewhat of a regular schedule after taking a day for some personal commitments. After falling to the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 on Saturday afternoon, the Boston Red Sox look to clinch the Mayor’s Cup in front of the “hometown” fans at City of Palms Park this afternoon.

The Red Sox currently lead the Mayor’s Cup 3-2 with just two games remaining, including today.

The game today will begin at 1:05 p.m. and will be shown in the Red Sox television market on NESN. The game will also be available on the MLB Network. If you can’t watch the game on television, it will be broadcast on WEEI 850 AM. It is also available on MLB.com if you have the MLB.tv or Gameday Audio package. You can also catch it on the MLB At Bat app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

After being named to the No. 5 spot in the Red Sox rotation, Clay Buchholz will get the ball today. He’ll be followed by Scott Atchison, Ramon Ramirez, Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon. Carl Pavano will start for the Twins. He’ll be followed by Clay Condrey, Pat Neshek, Jose Mijares and Kyle Waldrop.

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For Bard, the more things change… [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Lackey comfortable with a new role on Sox [Boston Globe]

Lowell experiencing swelling in knee [Boston Globe]

Managerial decisions, from No. 1 to No. 30 [Boston Globe]

John Lackey emerges unscathed [Boston Herald]

Marco Scutaro took the long route [Boston Herald]

Fate can be fickle [Boston Herald]

Red Sox warm up leftover Scott Schoeneweis [Boston Herald]

David Ortiz hot and cold [Boston Herald]

Morning notes: Lowell update, Casey Kelly to start Tuesday [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox notes: It’s make-or-break time for Schoeneweis [CSN New England]

Source: Sox hold line at 4 years for Beckett [ESPN Boston]

Sunday quick hits from Francona [ESPN Boston]

Scutaro looks to get bat going [ESPN Boston]

Ethier to visit Westmoreland tomorrow [Extra Bases]

Then there was the time … [Extra Bases]

A few pre-game updates from the ballpark [Extra Bases]

Beckett [Hit and Run With Dan Roche]

Mike Cameron Can Contribute Without Being in the Red Sox Lineup [NESN.com]

Could Adrian Beltre Crank 30 Home Runs in 2010? [NESN.com]

Jon Lester Could Be Sleeper for Cy Young Award [NESN.com]

NESN Airing Its Final Two Spring Training Games on Sunday and Monday [NESN.com]

Red Sox Hitters Must Fend Off Surprise Attacks by Opposing Rookie Pitchers [NESN.com]

John Lackey Quietly Making Strong Statement in Spring Training [NESN.com]

Jonathan Papelbon Seeks Adjustments, Redemption After 2009 Postseason [NESN.com]

Prospect Casey Kelly to Start Tuesday Against Rays, Not Tim Wakefield [NESN.com]

Newcomer Kevin Frandsen ‘Very Fortunate’ to Be Joining Red Sox Organization [NESN.com]

Casey Kelly to pitch major-league game on Tuesday [Projo Sox Blog]

For new Red Sox third-base coach Tim Bogar, success will mean no one notices him [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: For Shoeneweis, a sort of homecoming [Providence Journal]

Plan is to keep Buchholz focused solely on batter [Providence Journal]

Josh Reddick making a big statement in Red Sox camp [Providence Journal]

Schoeneweis set to show he’s still got it [RedSox.com]

Frandsen awaits chance with Boston [RedSox.com]

Lackey breezes through another outing [RedSox.com]

Lowell encouraged day after injuring knee [RedSox.com]

Embree a little rusty in return to Red Sox [RedSox.com]

After a day off due to some personal commitments we’re back. It’s game day for the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team as they will take on the Iowa State Cyclones in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Women’s Tournament.

The game is scheduled to tip-off at 12:04 p.m. and will be shown in Connecticut on ESPN. The game will also be available on ESPN360. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can listen to the game on the WTIC/UConn Radio Network.

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UConn Women’s Basketball links

No frills recruiting still works [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Making her mentor proud [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Easley looks back [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Geno’s not going casual [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

From The Courant Archives: April 3, 2000 [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Daydreaming About The Circus From Dayton [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Davis-Powell Talks About Banks’ Verbal [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Banks, Trucks Talk UConn [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Another Photo Op For Fennelly? [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Huskies get richer with another commitment in the Bank [Roger Cleaveland – The Republican-American]

Intimate history between Huskies and Iowa State coach [Roger Cleaveland – The Republican-American]

Iowa State guard poses huge challenge for Huskies [Roger Cleaveland – The Republican-American]

The Countdown to the Sweet 16 [UConnHuskies.com]

ISU Insists It’s Excited to Play UConn [UConnHuskies.com]

Connecticut-Iowa State Preview [UConnHuskies.com]

Georgia guard verbally commits to UConn women [CT Post]

Lacey key reason why Iowa St. surpassed expectations [CT Post]

Doty, Hayes sharing load nicely at point guard [CT Post]

Iowa State’s Prins gets a shot at Charles early in her career [CT Post]

UConn will do what it can to avoid history repeating itself vs. Iowa State [CT Post]

UConn women vs. Iowa State: The rematch [CT Post]

UConn women’s notebook: UConn’s reserves coming through [CT Post]

Game day: UConn vs. Iowa State [CT Post]

Pam (Webber) Mitchell Looks Back On UConn’s First Perfect Season [Hartford Courant]

UConn Recruit Brianna Banks Should Fit In Well [Hartford Courant]

Like 1999, Iowa State Stands In UConn’s Way [Hartford Courant]

Huskies Have Been Forced To Defend Their Dominance [Hartford Courant]

UConn-Iowa State Capsule Preview [Hartford Courant]

Iowa State can call on history [Journal Inquirer]

UConn women cash in with Banks [New Haven Register]

Iowa State takes it Easley in the NCAAs [New Haven Register]

Last meeting with Cyclones left the Huskies at a loss [New Haven Register]

A ‘most unique challenge’ [The Day]

Maya the magnificent [The Day]

Aussie Lacey has found a home in Iowa [The Day]

Bench gives Huskies support in NCAA run [The Republican-American]

Doty and Hayes: the perfect back court [The Republican-American]

Brianna Banks bound for Storrs [ESPN]

Stanford women destined to meet UConn [San Jose Mercury News]

Iowa St. is up for challenge [Boston Globe]

UConn Football links

Practice 6 Notes/Updates [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Coach Edsall After Practice 6 [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Edsall Reaches Out To Florida International [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Saturday practice [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Huskies reach out to FIU; other practice notes [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Aiken feels good at defensive back [CT Post]

UConn football notebook: Edsall contacts FIU [CT Post]

Wylie Looks To Step Into Rotation At RB [Hartford Courant]

Junior takes lead in secondary [The Day]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn Recruit Believes In Calhoun [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball: No. 7 Louisville Slips Past Huskies 4-2 [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball: Huskies Stun No. 7 Louisville with 6-3 Defeat [UConnHuskies.com]

Softball: Huskies Drop Two In Home Opener Against Georgetown [UConnHuskies.com]

It definitely looks like I picked the wrong day to quit sniffing glue and actually getting somewhat of a life. I kid, I kid. But seriously, whenever I have something to do it always seems like something big happens.

And that it did on Friday at Boston Red Sox camp in Ft. Myers. Let’s see we had a player released, a few roster moves, a signing, a trade, a game and the naming of the starting rotation for the early part of the season.

When the Red Sox signed Alan Embree, the writing was on the wall that Brian Shouse would probably have no chance of making the team out of spring traning. Well it became reality as the Red Sox released Shouse. Shouse was actually having a decent spring training as he made 10 appearances with a 1-0 record and a 0.96 ERA in 9 1/3 innings. He had six strikeouts and a walk.

Considering the Red Sox released Shouse, I’m quite curious as to why they signed lefty Scott Schoeneweis, who had been in camp with the Milwaukee Brewers. Schoeneweis lost his wife during the season last year and struggled in his return. He wasn’t faring much better with the Brewers in spring training. He made seven appearances and had no record with a 7.71 ERA in seven innings of work.

The Red Sox also made a trade on Friday as they acquired INF Kevin Frandsen from the San Francisco Giants. Frandsen, who can play all over the infield, for a PTNBL. They also reassigned outfielder Darnell McDonald to minor-league camp and optioned left-handed pitcher Fabio Castro to Triple-A Pawtucket.

After the 3-2 win over a Toronto Blue Jays split-squad, skipper Terry Francona laid out his plans for the starting rotation. Josh Beckett will be your opening day starter for the Red Sox and he’ll be followed by Jon Lester and John Lackey. Tim Wakefield and Clay Buchholz will also get starts as well too.

Here’s how the rotation shapes up for the first homestand:

• Opening Day, April 4 vs. Yankees: Josh Beckett
• April 6 vs. Yankees: Jon Lester
• April 7 vs. Yankees: John Lackey
• April 9 vs. Royals: Tim Wakefield
• April 10 vs. Royals: Beckett
• April 11 vs. Royals: Clay Buchholz

Things will go back to normal after that as it will shape up as Lester, Lackey, Wake, Beckett and Buchholz.

Lester looked ready to start the season on Friday against the Jays as he allowed two unearned runs on six hits over six innings of work. He gave up two walks and had five strikeouts. Jonathan Papelbon gave up two hits and a walk in an inning while Hideki Okajima struck out one in his inning of work. Ramon Ramirez struck out one in his inning.

The Red Sox managed seven hits in the game but five of them came in the 9th inning when they rallied for three runs. Jason Varitek and Josh Reddick had the hits before the 9th. David Ortiz, Tug Hulett and Dusty Brown all had RBI singles in the 9th.

The Red Sox did suffer an injury on Friday as well when Mike Lowell fouled a ball off of his knee. He left the day and was diagnosed with a contusion on his knee and is listed as day-to-day. This certainly won’t help the Red Sox as they try to move him.

The Red Sox will make the trip up I-75 to take on the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota on Saturday. There is no television for the game but it will be broadcast on WEEI 850 AM. You can also catch it on MLB.com if you have the GameDay Audio package (if you’re a member of Red Sox Nation you get it for free). You can also catch it on the MLB At Bat app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

There will be no lineup post once again on Saturday as I will be attending my best friend’s daughter’s First Communion and then the party afterwards. I’ll do my best to update the happenings of Saturday when I get home.

And now to steal a term from Ken Fang of Fang’s Bites, here are the megalinks:

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Rest for Cameron could mean at-bats for Hermida [Clubhouse Insider]

Taking the fifth (starter) [Clubhouse Insider]

Updates on Lowell, opening rotation, Dice-K, new INF Frandsen [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox sign lefty reliever Scott Schoeneweis [Clubhouse Insider]

MLBPA director meets with Red Sox players [CSN New England]

Red Sox notes: Sox acquire Schoeneweis and Frandsen [CSN New England]

Red Sox find a spot for all their starters [CSN New England]

Josh Beckett Will Lead Red Sox Pitching Staff in 2010 [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]

Pedroia explains absence from lineup [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox release Shouse [ESPN Boston]

Morning notes: Pitching plan is close [ESPN Boston]

Union chief meets with Sox players [ESPN Boston]

Stark: Tough to figure out Big Papi [ESPN Boston]

100th straight home sellout for Sox [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox acquire infielder Frandsen [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox announce initial rotation [ESPN Boston]

X-rays on Lowell’s left knee negative [ESPN Boston]

Farrell comments on starting rotation [ESPN Boston]

Sox agree to deal with P Schoeneweis [ESPN Boston]

Pen analysis: Shouse out; Schoeneweis in [ESPN Boston]

Afternoon notes: Lester goes 6 strong [ESPN Boston]

MLBPA visit [Extra Bases]

Sox agree to terms on lefty Schoeneweis; deal for INF Frandsen [Extra Bases]

Rotation set with five starters [Extra Bases]

New Sox reliever has been through a lot [Extra Bases]

Red Sox release Shouse [Full Count]

Weiner talks leaks, collective bargaining, more [Full Count]

Ortiz: ‘I don’t care about what anybody else has done’ [Full Count]

Sox acquire utility man Frandsen [Full Count]

Sox announce rotation to open season [Full Count]

Sox sign lefty Schoeneweis [Full Count]

Lowell suffers setback with knee contusion [Full Count]

Alan Embree Excited to Be Back With Red Sox, Contribute Out of Bullpen [NESN.com]

Veteran Tim Wakefield Making Compelling Case for Spot in Red Sox Rotation [NESN.com]

Is Keeping Mike Lowell as a Bench Player Worth $12 Million for Red Sox? [NESN.com]

Michael Weiner Visits Red Sox Camp to Discuss Collective Bargaining Issues [NESN.com]

Red Sox Acquire Veteran Reliever Scott Schoeneweis [NESN.com]

Release of Brian Shouse Fails to Give Final Answer to Red Sox Bullpen Questions [NESN.com]

Carefree Approach Could Benefit Red Sox During Long, Grueling Season [NESN.com]

Terry Francona Ends Anticipation, Names Josh Beckett Ace of Rotation [NESN.com]

Scott Atchison Eyes a Second Chance in the Major Leagues [NESN.com]

I Bet You Didn’t Know… [Nuggetpalooza] Tidbits from MLBPA’s Michael Weiner [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox acquire infielder Frandsen [Projo Sox Blog] Beckett draws Opening Day start [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox add lefty Schoeneweis [Projo Sox Blog]

Bill James: Defenders decline by age 27 [Projo Sox Blog]

Shouse released by Red Sox [RedSox.com]

Pedroia gets extra day to rest wrist [RedSox.com]

Red Sox unveil rotation; Beckett up first [RedSox.com]

Knee contusion latest setback for Lowell [RedSox.com]

Red Sox acquire Frandsen, Schoeneweis [RedSox.com]

With this rotation, it’s about managing to last [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

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UConn Football links

A Little More From Pro Day [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConn Coach Randy Edsall On Jason Page TV Show Last night [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConn Lineman Dan Ryan Participates in NFL Pro Day [Rob Lunn – NESN.com]

Connecticut’s Pro Day Had Everything Except Eminem Singing ‘Lose Yourself’ [Rob Lunn – NESN.com]

UConn Football Finds Strength At Tight End [Hartford Courant]

Former UConn walk-on Easley lining up visits [Yahoo! Sports]

Bears take a liking to UConn receiver Easley [Chicago Breaking Sports]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Video: The Climb – UConn’s Quest for Perfection Episode 2 [SOX & Dawgs]

From The Courant Archives: March 24, 1998 [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Geno On Outside The Lines Sunday [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

With Sweet 16 streak growing, UConn women a model of consistency [CT Post]

UConn Softball Coach Has Seen Basketball’s Rise Under Geno [Hartford Courant]

UConn women’s basketball trading cards [Hartford Courant]

The Unstoppable UConn Huskies [NPR]

ISU insists it’s excited to play UConn [AP]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Olander: ‘It’s Like a Dream Come True’ [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Olander commits to UConn men [Ed Daigneault – The Republican-American]

E.O. Smith Coach Ron Pires On Tyler Olander [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Tyler Olander’s Decision To Attend UConn [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Mike Anthony answered about 15 questions in his mailbag [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Olander, from Connecticut, commits to play for Huskies [CT Post]

E.O. Smith’s Tyler Olander Commits To UConn [Hartford Courant]

Strange season over for Huskies, time to recruit [New Britain Herald]

Olander commits to UConn [New Haven Register]

Recruit feels right at home at UConn [The Day]

Olander offers commitment to UConn men [The Republican-American]

Other UConn related links

Baseball Begins BIG EAST Play at No. 7 Louisville [UConnHuskies.com]

Softball: Saveriano, Towers Lead Huskies in 7-0 Rout of Eagles [UConnHuskies.com]

The Boston Red Sox hosted the Florida Marlins on Thursday afternoon at City of Palms Park and came away with a 6-4 win.

Tim Wakefield made the start for the Red Sox and gave them six quality innings. He allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five. The three runs he gave up came in his final inning of work.

Daisuke Matsuzaka made his first appearance in big league spring training and allowed a run on two hits in two innings of work. Scott Atchison surrendered one hit and had a strikeout in an inning which will help improve his chances of making the Red Sox.

The Red Sox had 12 hits against Marlins pitching, including two each by Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis,  Adrian Beltre and Jeremy Hermida. Both Beltre and Hermida added RBIs while Marco Scutaro had a triple and two RBIs. Victor Martinez and J.D. Drew also chipped in with a hit and an RBI.

Matsuzaka definitely won’t be ready for the start of the season but it was good to know that he had a decent outing his first time out. At this point, Matsuzaka just needs to get innings and his work in.

With the way Clay Buchholz has struggled in his past two starts and the fact that the Red Sox won’t need a 5th starter until April 18th, it’s quite possible that Wakefield could be the number four starter with Matsuzaka maybe returning on the 18th (pure speculation by me). Matsuzaka will pitch again on Monday when the Red Sox face the Rays. He’s scheduled to pitch three innings of relief for Josh Beckett.

The Red Sox will host a Toronto Blue Jays split-squad on Friday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. at City of Palms Park. Once again, there will be no radio or television.

Also, there may or may not be a post in the morning with lineups. I have an eye doctor’s appointment in the morning and won’t be back home until the afternoon.

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Marlins on Lowell, Lowell on Marlins [Clubhouse Insider]

As the Sox’ rotation turns [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox notes: Wakefield sparkles again [CSN New England]

Matsuzaka starts his comeback [CSN New England]

Moorad can see Gonzalez staying a Padre [ESPN Boston]

Opening Day starter a daily topic [ESPN Boston] Wakefield breaks down his start [ESPN Boston]

Dice-K ruled out for ‘first couple weeks’ of season [ESPN Boston]

Quick hits: Red Sox 6, Marlins 4 [ESPN Boston]

The rotations in the rivalry [Extra Bases]

Matsuzaka to pitch again Monday [Extra Bases]

Wakefield waits and wonders [Extra Bases] Marlins manager talks Lowell [Full Count]

Papelbon: No need to hurry-up Red Sox/Yankees games [Full Count] Wakefield ‘very curious’ about Red Sox’ plans [Full Count]

Daisuke starts his own spring training [Full Count]

Red Sox Roster [Hit and Run With Dan Roche]

Veteran Tim Wakefield Making Compelling Case for Spot in Red Sox Rotation [NESN.com]

Emphasis on Stolen Bases Has Declined Because of Lack of Value [NESN.com]

Onetime Sox prospect Lentz retires over fears of shoulder surgery [Projo Sox Blog]

Wakefield cruises through five, gets hit in sixth [Projo Sox Blog]

Next step for Matsuzaka: 3 IP on Monday [Projo Sox Blog]

Bill Hall’s “The Young and the Restless” moment [Projo Sox Blog]

Lowell to Miami Herald: “I just don’t know if it works” [Projo Sox Blog]

Wake stretched out; Dice-K starts up [RedSox.com]

Baseball takes backseat to brain surgery [RedSox.com]

Tyler Olander won’t have far to go when he attends college next year.

Olander, an E.O. Smith senior, has decided to stay in Storrs to play his college basketball for Jim Calhoun and the UConn Huskies.

Olander is the fourth player to commit to the Huskies. Two of those, Michael Bradley and Jeremy Lamb, have signed letters-of-intent. The other, Roscoe Smith, has verbally committed.

The Huskies did lose a recruit in Cleveland Melvin, who de-committed from UConn back in early March.